November 22, 2008

BOX SCORE

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Longwood University women's basketball team dropped its road contest against Atlantic Sun Conference member Campbell, 53-42, on Saturday afternoon in Buies Creek, N.C. Sophomore Cierra Baker/Windsor, Conn. (Windsor) led the Lancers in points, knocking down eight baskets. Senior Anna Steg/Vienna (George C. Marshall) was the teams leading rebounder, grabbing six (two offensive, four defensive). Longwood returns home for its next matchup, hosting in-state and Atlantic 10 Conference member Richmond on Tuesday, November 25 in Willett Hall at 7 p.m.

Longwood and Campbell struggled to get their offenses going in the first half, with both sides chasing each other up and down the court. The Camels jumped on the board in the first 20 seconds of the contest, but quickly had that countered by the Lancers 30 seconds later. Baskets would be far and few between past the opening minutes, with the Longwood leading 7-6 with half of the period expired.With a little over three minutes left to play in the half, Longwood took a 15-12 lead with back-to-back made free-throws from Baker. Campbell would counter with a minute remaining, scoring one from deep to take a two point lead. The tables would turn once more with three seconds remaining on the clock, as junior Becky Fernandes/Fort Belvior (Bishop Ireton) drained her free-throw, after being fouled while scoring on a layup in the paint.  
   
Longwood jumped out to a four point lead with 18:43 remaining in the game courtesy of a layup by senior Amber Sims/Lawrenceville (Brunswick Senior) and assist from freshman Sierra Fletcher/Utica, Ohio (Utica). Following the Sims layup, it would be another three minutes before either team would put one through the net. A sharp pass from Baker to freshman Brittanni Billups/Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) broke the scoreless streak and gave the Lancers a six point advantage with just over 16 minutes remaining. The Lancers would increase their lead to 32-21 with just over 14 minutes left to play, but the Camels would scrap their way back into the game, tying things up with just nine minutes to play. Campbell would not look back after tying the game, turning their 11 point deficit into an 11 point lead. The Lancers would try desperately to drain some last minute baskets to get back into the game, but would find themselves come up short handed.
  
Longwood shot 27% (14-51) from the field, while Campbell shot 37% (21-57). The Lancers  shot  59% (10-17) from the charity stripe. Campbell shot 70% (7-10). Lauren Yesh of Campbell was the games leading scorer with 14 points, while teammate Ashley Williamson was the lead the game in rebounds with nine. Baker was the Lancers leading scorer with eight, while Fletcher and Fernandes both knocked down seven.
   
Following the Lancers game against Richmond, the team will head to Syracuse, N.Y. for a meeting with BIG?EAST?member Syracuse on November 30 at 1 p.m. Longwood will then return home to host George Mason on December 4 at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall.